Mountain View County
http://www.mountainviewcounty.com
Welcome
It's Happening Here!
Situated in the heart of Alberta's Calgary -Edmonton corridor - dubbed Canada's economic "Western Tiger" - Mountain View County straddles the province's main north-south transportation corridor. Between 28,000 and 32,000 vehicles travel the Queen Elizabeth II highway (The QEII) each day, bringing new visitors, and new opportunities to the residents of Mountain View County. In addition to the QEII, some of Alberta's busiest secondary highways, and the Canadian Pacific Railway's Calgary - Edmonton line, run through the middle of our municipality making it an ideal place to situate your home or business. Air traffic can also access Mountain View at two local airports - Olds / Didsbury and Sundre - with international travelers easily accommodated at Calgary's International Airport located half an hour away.
Diverse, Leading Edge Economies
It was agriculture which first brought settlers to Mountain View County. Homesteaders wisely chose this region over a century ago for its ample rainfall and fertile soils. Today, agriculture is still a vital economic engine of Mountain View County. Over 30 per cent of our labour force working in a sector that has now diversified into globally marketed value added crops and livestock. In addition, Mountain View is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, which support thriving oil and gas, forestry and manufacturing sectors. Striving to be on the leading edge of development, Mountain View County is actively pursuing opportunities in economic diversification, case in point our Netook Crossing industrial / commercial development near Olds.
Partner In Cooperation
Mountain View County is not an island. Together with our urban partners- Carstairs, Cremona, Didsbury, Olds and Sundre- we welcome individuals, businesses and organizations who recognize the value of economic diversification and a progressive tax environment. We strive constantly to achieve regional cooperation, building strong relationships on an inter-municipal, provincial and federal basis. In cooperation with our urban partners, the Municipal Area Partnership (MAP) group has coordinated numerous inter-municipal initiatives, including agreements on regional fire protection, family services, recreation and culture.
Progressive, Educated Workforce
Mountain View County residents have access to superb schools - both in the County at Reed Ranch, Midway and Koinonia Christian School - and in our neighbouring urban municipalities. Post secondary opportunities abound at Olds College, home of the innovative Community Learning Campus educational and cultural facility. With 12,570 residents living in the County, and another 18,000 residing in our neighbouring urban centres, Mountain View County offers access to a skilled and motivated workforce; competitive infrastructure; and a superb rural lifestyle.
Green Communities
The County has implemented policies to maximize development, and minimize our environmental footprint. With our new Municipal Development Plan ensuring 94 per cent of our land area will be preserved for agricultural use, residents and visitors alike can continue to enjoy our magnificent scenery and abundant recreational opportunities for generations to come. Home to golf courses galore, river recreation, wilderness opportunities and year round cultural and arts events, you'll find something for every interest in Mountain View!
Area Overview
Our current population is 12,570 rural residents, with another 18,000 residing in the Towns of Carstairs, Didsbury, Olds, Sundre; and the Village of Cremona. These figures may not account for a large percentage of the 1300+ full time students who enroll at Olds College on a yearly basis.
Mountain View County is located within one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in all of Canada. More than 1.2 million residents live within an hour's drive of Mountain View County, with more than a million of those living within the city of Calgary- the Heart of the New West.
Market size
We service a market area more than 8,000 square kilometres in size. Outside of Mountain View County, major urban centres located within a 100 km (62 mile) radius include:
Cities (2006 census data provided):
- Calgary (population 1.2 million)
- Airdrie (population 29,000)
- Red Deer (population 82,772)
Towns (2006 census data provided):
- Cochrane (population 13,760)
- Chestermere (population 9,564)
- Innisfail (population 7,316)
- Three Hills (population 3,089)
- Sylvan Lake (population 10,208)
- Lacombe (population 10,742)
- Strathmore (population 10,225)
- Rocky Mountain House (population 6,874)
- Drumheller (population 7,932)
Rural Municipalities (2006 census data provided):
- Rockyview County (population 34,171)
- Red Deer County (population 19,108)
- Kneehill County (population 5,218)
- Clearwater County (population 11,826)
Location
In the heart of the Corridor
When you live and work in Mountain View County, you’re literally one hour away from the best Alberta has to offer. Whether it be the big city amenities of Calgary and Red Deer; the scenic badlands in the Drumheller Valley- the heart of Dinosaur Country; the breathtaking scenery of the Canadian Rockies; or the abundance of recreational opportunities to be found throughout the Prairies to Peaks region of central Alberta; you’re within an hour of everything in Mountain View County.
Country living is affordable in Mountain View County. Or make your home in one of the five urban centres within County boundaries: the towns of Carstairs (pop. 2,700); Didsbury (population 4,500); Olds (pop. 7,300); Sundre (pop. 2,600); and the village of Cremona (pop. 500).
If you enjoy the urban lifestyle, but are looking to expand your horizons beyond city limits, Mountain View County is only a half an hour from Alberta’s third largest city, Red Deer (pop. 83,000); and under an hour from the ‘Heart of the New West’- the city of Calgary (pop. 1.1 million).
Economic Base
Building Rural Better
Nestled in the heart of beautiful central Alberta, Mountain View County has:
- A strong agriculture and food industry
- Thriving oil and gas manufacturing, rich natural resources, exceptional recreation and tourism venues
- 1,747 miles of maintained roads
- 1 Million acres over 1,500 square miles
- 1,800 farms
- An abundance of business opportunities in a central location along Alberta's major north-south transportation (road, rail) corridor
We encourage business and we support investment with:
- An outstanding transportation infrastructure including several provincial primary and secondary highways, and the County Collector Network.
- Direct access to Alberta's Queen Elizabeth II highway (QEII) corridor- the lifeline of the Calgary- Edmonton corridor- dubbed Canada's economic "Western Tiger"- which runs norh-south through the middle of Mountain View County.
- We're 45 minutes north of the Calgary International Airport - the main distribution hub for Western Canada into the Pacific Northwest
- Access to the Canadian Pacific Railway's national rail network through the Calgary- Edmonton line.
- Modern airport facilties at Sundre and Olds/ Disbury airports.
- A progressive business culture which promotes sustanable communtiies with documents like our Municipal Development Plan - and commerical developments like Netook Crossing.
- A well educated and motivated workforce - 15 per cent of the population over age 15 having attended university.
- A rapidly growing service sector, including major commercial developments in Olds and surroundign communities.
- Olds College's human resource development programs and workplace training
- The Alberta SUPERNET and technology infrastructure
The right lifestyle
- Easy access to Calgary and Red Deer makes acreage development an attractive alternative to urban living.
- Because of our attractive landscapes and proximity to Red Deer and Calgary, a wide range of tourist and recreational uses are located in Mountain View County.
- Golf courses are located in or near Carstairs, Didsbury, Water Valley, Sundre and Olds, with others approved or in the planning stages.
- Campgrounds are located at Westward Ho, Water Valley and other areas in the County. Bed and breakfasts, dude ranches and informal kinds of recreational activities including fishing, hiking and rafting complete the recreational experience in Mountain View County.
Economic Facts
Major Businesses Products/Services
N/A
Financial Institutions
Financial institutions such as the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Bank of Montreal, Royal Bank of Canada, The Bank of Nova Scotia, Toronto Dominion Bank, Mountain View Credit Union Ltd. and Alberta Treasury Branch have offices in the County.
Utilities
Natural Gas
Olds, AB. 403-556-3798
Cochrane, AB 403-932-2707
* Serving areas in Water Valley/ Winchell Lake/ Fallentimber/ Cremona
Crossroads Gas Co-op Ltd.
Innisfail, AB 403-227-4861)
Olds, AB 403-556-3007
*Serving northern Mountain View County from just south of Carstairs.
Rockyview Gas Co-op Ltd.
Crossfield, AB 403-946-4222
Electricity
Phone toll free in Alberta 310-4300 Setting up new accounts, billing inquiries
Phone toll free outside Alberta: 800-677-4674
Customer Service line is available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week
Call 3 - 5 days before moving
Phone toll free in Alberta 310-WIRE (9473) New service connections, power outages, electrical emergencies
Phone toll free outside Alberta: 800-332-1002
Customer Service line is available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week
Phone toll free in Alberta 310-2010
Phone toll free outside Alberta: 877-571-7111
Customer Service line is available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week
Telephone
Phone toll free in Alberta 310-2255
* Please note- A rural address is required to receive land line phone service in Mountain View County. For more information on getting your rural address, please click here.
Television
Cable television is not available in Mountain View County.
Satellite Televison providers include:
Internet
A wireless internet service provider serving Acme, Bowden, Carstairs, Cremona, Crossfield, Dickson, Didsbury, Dogpound, Eagle Hill, Gleniffer Lake, Linden, Madden, Olds, Spruce View, Sundre, Three Hills, Torrington, Trochu, Winchell Lake and surrounding areas of Central Alberta, Canada (Coverage Map)
Uses fixed wireless and satellite to reach suburban, rural and remote customers who would otherwise have no access to affordable high-speed Internet.
Waste Collection
Mountain View County is a partner in the Mountain View Regional Waste Management Commission, a regulated services commission formed under the Municipal Government Act - 43/2001.
The Commission provides solid waste management services to:
- Town of Olds
- Town of Sundre
- Town of Carstairs
- Town of Didsbury
- Village of Cremona
- Mountain View County
For more information on waste management in Mountain View County, please click here.
Taxation
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Municipal Tax Rate |
3.89 |
5.41 |
| Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate |
4.09 |
4.09 |
| Mountain View Waste Management |
.09 |
.09 |
| Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate |
.14 |
.14 |
Transportation
Air Services
There are two local airports in the County -- the Sundre Airport [3,000 foot paved runway, a modern terminal and two hangars] and the Olds-Didsbury Airport [all weather facilities and a 900 meter runway]. The nearest commercial and air freight service is available at Calgary International Airport
Rail Services
The County is served by Canadian Pacific Railways.
Highways
Highways that run through the County include Highway 2, Highway 2A, Highway 22, Highway 27, Secondary Highway 580, and Secondary Highway 582.
Bus Services
Greyhound Bus Lines provides regularly scheduled inter-community service to the County.
Couriers and Taxis
Several local and regional couriers serve the County.
Community Lifestyle
Mountain View County residents, businesses and visitors can count on:
- A state of the art EMS team offering integrated fire, ambulance and public services
- A well developed education system including public and private schools at the pre school, elementary, secondary and post secondary levels
- Olds College - Canada's premiere agriculture and land sciences institution
- Exceptional health, dental and social care facilities including senior's housing
- Numerous and varied recreation and arts facilities, including the Community Learning Campus in Olds
Recreation
Alberta’s western heritage is alive and kicking in Mountain View County, with numerous stock shows, rodeos and riding events taking place throughout the County year-round.
The County is also a camper’s paradise, with country and city folk alike flocking to the many private and publicly run campgrounds operating in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. The numerous streams and rivers which run through the County provide some of the best fishing, white-water rafting and kayaking opportunities in the province. When the snow flies, the foothills of the Rockies come alive with cross-country skiers and snowmobilers taking to the slopes.
Each of the communities within the County also have a wide range of recreation facilities such as curling rinks, indoor arenas, golf courses, tennis courts, playgrounds, baseball diamonds and hiking/walking trails.
Community Organizations
There are several community organizations, sports clubs and service groups that are active in the County.
Religious Services
Most religious denominations are represented in the County.
Special Annual Events/ Major Attractions 
A number of major events keep Mountain View County residents on the go throughout the year. For a complete list of events and local attractions, visit the Prairies to Peaks Tourism Association website.
Accommodation
Whether you’re looking to sample some of western hospitality on a guest ranch, or you’re in need of the creature comforts of a hotel, motel or lodge, we’ve got it all in Mountain View County. The Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), in conjunction with Travel Alberta, lists more than lists more than 1500 annually inspected hotels, motels, lodges, inns, bed & breakfasts, guest ranches, farms, and campgrounds through their online search engine.
Restaurants
A variety of culinary options await you in Mountain View County.
Performing Arts
The foothills are alive with the sound of music. Mountain View County is the home of a number of events every year which showcase local, nationally and world renowned artists. These events include the Kiwanis Music Festival and Olds Tyme Music & Dance Jamboree in Olds; Strings & Keys and the Mountain View International Festival of Song in Sundre; and the Mountain View Music Festival in Carstairs.
With construction on the Fine Arts & Multi Media Centre component of the Community Learning Campus at Olds College scheduled for completion in 2008, the number of artists choosing to perform in Mountain View County will continue to grow.
Live Sporting Events
A number of communities in and around Mountain View County are home to amateur and professional sports teams:
Olds
Carstairs/ Didsbury
Red Deer
Calgary
-
Calgary Flames (National Hockey League)
-
Calgary Stampeders (Canadian Football League)
-
Calgary Roughnecks (National Lacrosse League)
-
Calgary Vipers (Northern League baseball)
-
Calgary Hitmen (Western Hockey League)
There are also a number of roping and riding events taking place throughout Mountain View County year round. These include rodeos in Sundre and Water Valley in June; Carstairs, Didsbury and Dog Pound in July; and Olds in August.
Parks
Mountain View County is dotted with a number of private and publicly owned parks and campgrounds. The County currently oversees the operation of four parks:
Westward Ho Campground- Five miles (8 km) east of Sundre on Hwy 27.
Water Valley Campground- Ten minutes west of Highway 22, on SH 579 to Water Valley.
Davidson Park (Camping)- Bergen
Hiller’s Dam (Fishing/ No camping)- Eight miles (13 km) southeast of Olds on the Burns Ranch Road (Twp. Rd. 32.0)
Education
The County is part of the Chinook's Edge Regional Division No. 5, headquartered in Innisfail [Tel: 403-227-4272].
Daycare/Nursery
Day cares and nurseries are located throughout the County.
Public
Public Schools are located in Cremona [1-12], Olds [K-4, 5-7, 8-12], Didsbury [1-4, 5-8, 9-12], Carstairs [K-12], Sundre [1-8, 9-12], Reed Ranch and Midway.
Separate
N/A
Private
Koinonia Christian Schools [Olds and Water Valley]
Post Secondary
Olds Agricultural College, located in Olds, provides the training in technologies which support direct production agriculture i.e. mechanics, ag. production, plant and animal science, business and computer applications.
County residents also have access to Calgary-based post-secondary institutions such as The University of Calgary, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology [SAIT] and Mount Royal College, as well as Red Deer College in Red Deer.
Health Care
Hospitals are located in Didsbury, Olds and Sundre.
Emergency Services
Fire Protection
There are volunteer fire departments in each of the towns [Didsbury, Olds, Carstairs, Sundre] and a number of the smaller communities.
Police Services
The County is served by three detachments [Didsbury, Olds, Sundre] of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police [RCMP].
Ambulance Services
Ambulance service is available throughout the County.
Community Services
We're Here for You
Mountain View County is serviced by a team of skilled individuals committed to delivering ratepayer value.
Under the direction of Council, Mountain View County’s Administrative Team works collaboratively to ensure:
- Timely and responsive service
- Transparency and financial accountability
- Interactive and dynamic communication
- Collaboration and cooperation with local, regional, provincial, and federal partners
Our Administrative Team is composed of four departments:
Corporate Services
Corporate Services provides the back office support for County operations. This includes coordinating the responsible and transparent management of County funds through the finance department; managing the County's technology resources through the business services department; and ensuring county taxes, which finance the majority of the County's operations, is shared equitably amongst County ratepayers, through the assessment department.
Specifically, Corporate Services oversees:
- Preparation of the Annual Operating and Capital Budget, and financial statements
- Handling of day to day accounting, and payroll administration
- Management of Accounts Payable and Receivable (Including tax collection)
- Technological support for the County systems and IT equipment
- Reception and file management
- Financial administration for the Mountain View Regional Waste Management Commission and Mountain View Regional Emergency Services
- Under the Assessment Department, the market values of properties are determined each year - under the Municipal Government Act market value assessments are used to ensure that similar properties pay a similar amount of taxes.
- Geographic Information System (GIS) management and analysis.
For more information on this department, please visit www.mountainviewcounty.com/cpserv
Planning and Development Services
Planning and Development Services is resourced to guide development in the County to ensure a balance between a quality rural lifestyle, and urban sophistication in terms of infrastructure and convenience.
Planning and Development oversees:
- The Land Use Bylaw, which is designed to regulate and control the use and development of land and buildings within the municipality.
- Area Structure Plans, which provide information to a potential developer regarding the amount, and appropriate types of development, permitted within the plan area; and guidance for Council when making decisions on development proposals for specific parcels of land.
- Property zoning and set backs from centre of any road allowance
- Issuance of Location, Building and Development permits; and detached garage, factory built home or wood burning stove permits.
- Redesignation and subdivision and property in the County.
- The Municipal Development Plan (MDP), which serves as the framework for planning and development decisions in the County.
For more information on this department, please visit www.mountainviewcounty.com/plandev
Operational Services (Including Agricultural Services)
Operational Services maintains and enhance public services over 2800 km of roads along the County Collector Network (CCN); including over 1970 km of gravel roads, and almost 840 km of chip sealed roads. In addition, the department is responsible for over 140 pieces of equipment and trucks, snow removal, dust control, salting, sanding, culvert installation, gravel pits and more. Agricultural Services support local farmers and ranchers with programs and services designed to enhance production, environmental stewardship and industry growth.
Operational Services oversees:
- Issuance of Road Bans and Bridge Restrictions; and Road Use Agreements for Drilling Rig Moves
- Year-round road maintenance on County Collector Network (CCN)
- Dust control to ratepayers on the 200 meters fronting properties at a minimal cost using Calcium Chloride.
- Sale and loading of gravel at various pits throughout the County.
- Weed inspections on private and private lands; and County roadside weed and grass control.
- Pest and predator pest and predator inspection and control in rural areas.
- Licensing and inspection of seed cleaning plants in Mountain View County.
- Environmental Stewardship through promotion of Environmental Farm Plans; management of riparian and environmentally sensitive areas; soil conservation initiatives; agricultural recycling and maintenance of pesticide container site
For more information on this department, please visit www.mountainviewcounty.com/ops
Legislative and Community Services
Legislative Services and Community Services oversee communications, legal compliance and legislation. Through its FCSS component, Community Services works with community partners to design and deliver social programs that are preventive in nature to promote and enhance well-being among individuals, families, and communities. County Patrol and Disaster Services help to ensure the safety and well-being of County residents.
Overview:
- Ensures organizational compliance to Bylaws, policies and procedures
- Oversees Disaster Services and Emergency Management.
- Oversees internal and external Communications
- Coordinates Family and Community Support Services (FCSS)
- Provides grants and support for rural community organizations; community halls; recreation and culture; libraries and seniors housing.
- Oversees Mountain View County Patrol - Community Peace Officers
- For more information on this department, please visit www.mountainviewcounty.com/legcomm
Contact Us:
Mountain View County
Bag 100
Didsbury, Alberta
T0M 0W0
Tel: 403-335-3311
Fax: 403-335-9207
Provincial
Several provincial departments such as Alberta Agriculture, Alberta Hail and Crop Insurance, Attorney General, Public Works, Solicitor General, Transportation and Utilities, Family and Social Services, Fish and Wildlife, Housing Authority, Sports Council and Mental Health have offices in the County.
Federal
- Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
- Canada Post
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Google Map
Mountain View County, Alberta, Canada